According to The Irish Independent this morning, extra large school uniforms are now being made available for students across Ireland to cater for those suffering from obesity.

Obesity levels among children in Ireland and in Europe are at ‘epidemic proportions’ according to reports done by the Department of Health, with Ireland one of the countries worst affected. The Growing Up in Ireland survey, 2011 found that 1 in 4 children as young as 3 years of age are overweight or obese.

WIth over 300,000 children thought to be overweight or obese, school suppliers are having to stock size XXXL garments for students.

According to The Irish Independent:
‘Longstanding Dublin uniform suppliers, Grants of Manor Street, service more than 40 primary and post primary schools in the capital, as well as in Kildare and Wicklow. They are now selling trousers for primary school students which cater for up to a 40-inch waist.
This means there are 11 and 12-year-olds with a waistline in excess of three feet.’

The Independent reports that some schools have also ordered larger seats and desks for their classrooms to accommodate bigger children.

Are you affected by this story? Please leave us a comment.

If your child is overweight please read our advice for parents on how to tackle this obesity.

For more on facts and guidelines for obesity in Ireland please see SafeFoods.

Comments